Each year at NAU, April brings a monthlong celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage, featuring events with food, music, crafts and more. First established in the United States in the 1970s and typically celebrated in May, API Month takes place in April at the university to give the whole Lumberjack community an opportunity come together while school is in session.
API Month honors those from all countries in the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. According to Precilla Cox, lead academic advisor for the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management within The W. A. Franke College of Business, the month of events is an opportunity for NAU community members from Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds to share the richness and diversity of their cultures.
“Being born and raised in the melting pot of Hawai’i with a Filipino-American background, I’ve experienced all types of cultures together in one room sharing common interests while respecting our differences,” Cox said. “It is important to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander cultures because it allows us to educate others on what is significant to the culture through language, food, dance, traditions and beliefs. At NAU, providing the space for our students to share their cultures with this community grants them a sense of belonging, pride in who they are and where they come from and the opportunity to share their voice in a place where they might not be heard or seen.”
IMQ is hosting or collaborating on a variety of events to share Asian and Pacific Islander culture with students, staff and faculty—from a night of K-Pop karaoke to a longstanding lū’au to a screening of two beloved films written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. For more information, visit the IMQ events page.
Jill Kimball | NAU Communications
(928) 523-2282 | jill.kimball@nau.edu